diff --git a/libraries/AP_DroneCAN/AP_Canard_iface.h b/libraries/AP_DroneCAN/AP_Canard_iface.h
index d2ca5884aba9d6..3fc3f1ea2f0210 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_DroneCAN/AP_Canard_iface.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_DroneCAN/AP_Canard_iface.h
@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@ class CanardInterface : public Canard::Interface {
     uint16_t pool_peak_percent();
     const dronecan_protocol_Stats& get_protocol_stats() const { return protocol_stats; }
 
+    CanardInstance& get_canard() { return canard; }
+
 private:
     CanardInstance canard;
     AP_HAL::CANIface* ifaces[HAL_NUM_CAN_IFACES];